New DNA Testing Schemes For Border Collies

Two new DNA testing schemes have been approved for Border Collies

The Kennel Club has approved two new official DNA testing
schemes for multi-drug resistance (MDR1) and Imerslund-Grasbeck
syndrome (IGS) in Border Collies, following consultation with the
Border Collie Breed Council and the Health Coordinator for the
breed.

To find out which laboratories the Kennel Club is able to record
results from please refer to our worldwide DNA testing list at
www.thekennelclub.org.uk/media/14688/dnatestsworldwide.pdf.
From this list, copies of all future test certificate results
issued by the Animal Health Trust, Laboklin and Animal DNA
Diagnostics will be sent directly to the Kennel Club. Results
from the other laboratories mentioned can be recorded upon owner
submission.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: "The Kennel Club is
constantly reviewing DNA testing schemes in conjunction with breed
clubs to ensure that breeders are able to continue breeding healthy
dogs.

"We are pleased to be announcing these two new DNA tests for
Border Collies, which will help breeders make informed decisions
when it comes to breeding, enable potential puppy buyers to be
aware of issues which could affect their chosen breed, and
ultimately protect and maintain the health of the breed.

"The Kennel Club continues to work alongside breed clubs and breed
health coordinators, in a collaborative effort to improve the
health of pedigree dogs and we are happy to accommodate a club's
request to add a new DNA test to its lists and would normally need
a formal request from the breed's health coordinator or a majority
request from the breed clubs."

Test results will be added to the dog's registration details which
will trigger the publication of the result in the next available
Breed Records Supplement. The result will appear on any new
registration certificate issued for the dog and on the registration
certificates of any future progeny of the dog, and also on the
Health Test Results Finder on the Kennel Club website.
Results for dogs already tested can also be recorded, but owners
will need to submit copies of the DNA certificates
themselves.

If the owner includes the original registration certificate for
the dog (not a copy) then a new registration certificate will be
issued, with the DNA result on it, free of charge. Please
send any DNA test certificates to Health & Breeder Services,
The Kennel Club, 1 - 5 Clarges Street, Piccadilly, London, W1J
8AB or scan and email copies of the certificates to hbs@thekennelclub.org.uk.